My work of fiction is an alternate ending for Twlight New Moon. I do not own Twilight or its characters, I simply borrowed them to create an alternate ending for New Moon. Twlight, New Moon, and all the books in the Twilight Series are owned by Stephenie Meyer. Note: I have not seen the movie New Moon. I HAVE read all the books in the Twilight Series, though.

After new moon I felt sorry for Jacob. He was a likeable enough guy and Edward is pretty stiff competition, after all! What if Bella ended up with Jacob, or another member of the Quilette tribe? What if Victoria ached for her blood and returned?

No short and choppy chapter here. Get cozy folks. When I said "alternate ending", I menat it!

The alarm had sounded nearly ten minutes earlier. I sprang from bed to quiet its buzz, but then climbed back under the blankets. I was glad it was Friday. The weather was winery and cold. The chill of the morning reminded me of Edward. It had been over four months since he had deserted me, and just over two months since Charlie put his foot down. When Charlie threatened to send me to live with Rene' I knew I had to make an effort to be happier. Or at least seem happier.

Charlie had already left for work. I dressed in a daze and headed downstairs for breakfast. Only I didn't feel like eating. I never felt very hungry lately. My truck groaned in effort when I turned the key in the ignition. The engine rumbled to life. It served as a consistent, reliable object to me. Immediately my thoughts went to Jacob. Reliable as the gifted mechanic who had resurrected it. That is until lately, even Jacob seemed to be avoiding me. Jacob had trusted me enough to learn the secret of his tribe. Then as quickly as the whirlwind of his secret came to light, he stopped talking to me. He wouldn't answer my calls and disassociated himself completely. I tried not to let it bother me, but it did. Jacob had promised he's never hurt me. A promise he apparently couldn't keep.

I arrived at the Forks high School and parked amongst the other vehicles. Slowly I scanned the student body, all awaiting entry into the school. Everyone was human. It seemed like such an obvious observation. Yet, I was a magnet for the supernatural. Exhibit one: My vampire of a former boyfriend, Edward. Then there was Jacob, my Jacob…my (apparently) former best friend whose Native American tribe told of a legend where chosen members of their society shift their human form into that of a wolf. It all sounded bizarre and fictional, yet I knew it was nothing short of the truth.

"Bella, over here!" a voice called from across the parking lot. I knew in an instant it was Mike Newton. He was the only guy that no matter what I said or did refused to avoid me. I wouldn't have minded if he disappeared like Edward, and now Jacob. Maybe he would vanish eventually, that seemed to be my track record.

"Hi Mike." I responded walking toward the school.

"I saw you pull up so I waited" he announced "You know, to walk you in." The idea of Mike waiting for me, though thoughtful, was unpleasant.

"Thanks Mike. That's sweet" I said, not realizing I was encouraging him.

"My pleasure Bella. You're a sight for sore eyes first thing in the morning."

I forced a small laugh and put on a faux grin, not saying anything else. Mike was a nice enough guy. He'd been a good friend and Jessica couldn't get enough of him. She seemed to be throwing herself at him, but Mike didn't really notice. I was pretty sure they kissed a bit here and there, but nothing serious. Jessica knew what it was like to be hurt and so did I. The site of Jessica walking herself into the building because Mike was waiting for me played in my mind.

"You look a little cold though," he continued. He reached out and grasped my free hand in his.

"If you want I could give you a ride to school tomorrow. My suburban would be really warm by the time I got to your house? I'm also a really safe driver. I grew up driving in winter weather…you know living in Forks all my life. I'm sure your Dad would be okay with it". Mike knew my winter driving still needed improvement. He also knew that Charlie worried about me enough to put tire chains on the truck when there was ice. When your father is the police chief in a small town, he tends to be a bit over protective.

I gently pulled my hand away, in an effort to hide my annoyance. He was being genuine. There was no need to hurt his feelings. "Thanks anyway Mike, but tomorrow is Saturday. I have no intention of coming to school".

I saw that Mike looked embarrassed out of the corner of my eye. But I didn't face him. I closed my locker just as the first period bell rang.

"I'll see you at lunch, Bella" he blurted out as I turned and headed for class.

"Yeah, lunch" I said looking over my shoulder to see him still leaning on the lockers watching me leave.

First period whizzed by, followed by second and third. Normally the day seemed to drag. Today however, I was lost in my thoughts. Sometimes I felt that Edward was in my mind. Talking to me. It was absurd, I know. Edward didn't like Mike. Mike wasn't very fond of Edward for that matter. Jacob also despised Edward, and if you asked Edward the feeling was mutual, on both accounts. Everyone intertwined into a ball of emotions, deep within my chest. Everyone in my life was like oil and water toward one another, and I was caught in a wet, oily mess.

I dreaded lunch. I sat at the cafeteria table with Mike, Eric, Jessica and Angela. I couldn't be alone with my thoughts at lunch and zone out or they would notice. That wasn't good. I needed to at least seem happy if I wanted Charlie to let me stay in Forks. I had scooped myself some salad. Edward had become very skilled in the art of looking like he was eating though he wasn't. Though Edward was a "vegetarian", (meaning he only dined on animal, not human, blood), he also did not eat human food. The body of a Vampire cannot digest it, and he would cough it up later. His meal time deception involved moving his food around on his plate and creating small piles near the outskirts. It was a little trick I'd picked up from him which brilliantly hid my lack of appetite.

"That does sound like fun doesn't it Bella?" I heard Angela say in the distance.

"Bella? Bella are you even listening??" Jessica chimed in "Is your salad that interesting?" My head shot up from my plate. I had been caught again. My friends had become background noise and I was caught up in my thoughts, ignoring all else.

"Sure. It might be fun." I said instinctively, hoping Jessica had not suggested streaking through the hallways.

"Do you know what the temperature is supposed to be?" Jessica continued. It seemed I had covered for myself. But now I was nervous. Clearly an outdoor activity was in the works.

"Above freezing" Mike chuckled, "But it will still be cold. That's why they call it a penguin plunge."

Oh Crap. "Penguin plunge??" I responded in a voice much louder than I expected it to be.

"Yeah. Don't you get it?" Jesscia began "Because penguins live in Antarctica, or wherever, and they plunge into cold water."

"Only my brother said the water wouldn't seem so cold, Jess, " Eric said "It's warmer than the air making it seem not so bad."

I really needed to pay closer attention. This was ridiculous. Charlie would have my head. He wouldn't need my head, I'd get hypothermia!

"How many people do you think will do it?" Mike beamed as if the world had just given him the ultimate dare.

"I dunno", Eric continued "he said that all the seniors say they are going to do it, but only about a dozen from his class actually showed up."

Eric, Angela, Jessica, and Mike continued to discuss the penguin plunge. I listened more closely now since I had missed most of their conversation already.

My deductive reasoning, and my improved attention spam, was telling me that I had just agreed to jump into potentially frigid winter water as part of a senior class thing. When we returned to class, I tried not to focus on the prospect of the following days activities. I was still hopeful I'd be able to think of a way out of it, and not look like a quitter or a nerd. Edward would have thought of a good excuse. Not only would have not gone out in the sun, he never gone to the First Beach anyway. A treaty between his Vampire family and Quilette Indian tribe prevented him from stepping foot on their reservation, which included First Beach. The second half of the day went by just as quickly as the first. I gathered the books that I'd need for weekend assignments and met Angela and Jessica at the end of the hallway.

"Time to dust off your bathing suits ladies. Eric said he'll pick us all up tomorrow in the van." Angela giggled as the end of day bell sounded. Angela adored Eric, and I think he liked her too. They attended prom together last year. I had gone with Edward, but ran into Jacob, who had been sent by father. Billy wanted to warn me about the Cullens. I wouldn't listen. It seemed that everything always circled back to Edward or Jacob.

"Bathing suits?" I questioned, horrified.

"I wish I had kept up with tanning. I'm so pale" Jessica responded pushing up her sleeve to look at her arms.

"Pale? You're pale?" I thought about my own alabaster white skin. I couldn't go through with this. "I don't even have a bathing suit. Maybe I can just go in some leggings and a t-shirt. Or I could stay with the car?"

Jessica and Angela both gave me an exaggerated eye roll.

"Don't be ridiculous. I've got at least a dozen bathing suits, maybe more. Angela is borrowing one of mine anyway. You can too. Problem solved. There is no way you're going to sit this one out Bella! Plus you are really white. I look like the Hawaiian Tropic Girl next to you. I forbid you not to go!"

The girls let out a chuckle. Jessica was trying to be nice. I knew this was difficult for her because of Mike Newton. It was hurtful to her that he often gave his attention, however much unwanted, to me.

"Yeah, I'm meeting up with Jessica after dinner" Angela explained, "Why don't you meet us? We have to get together tonight or we won't have suits for tomorrow. This is a very time sensitive manner." She continued trying to sound serious before breaking into a glorious Angela smile.

Other than the horror of wearing a bathing suit it public (in the middle of winter, no less) and the promise of swimming in freezing cold water…there was no reason why I couldn't meet them. Unless I suddenly contracted anthrax, I wasn't getting out of this one.

"Back when I used to tan...before my mother started to freak out that I was going to get skin cancer, I used to buy tons of bathing suits. I'd rotate them so that I never got too obvious of tan lines." I heard Jessica chattering to Angela about her collection of swimming attire. "You and Bella can have the pick of the selection!" This was bad. Really bad. I would tell Charlie. He'd never approve. I could tell them that Chief Swan flipped his lid and it would be the truth. Maybe having an over protective father would save my ass.

"Great. Can I come by around 6:00?" I inquired, knowing I'd call and cancel when Charlie got home.

"See you at 6:00 dahling!" Jessica was glowing. She really did want me to go. Even if it was just to make her look tan.

I walked to my truck alone. I had parked in the corner that was opposite of Jessica's car, and I didn't see Angela's Honda. Angela had a beater like me, and it spent a lot of time in the shop. Mike stood leaning against his suburban parked in the farthest corner of the lot. He was careful with his gigantic vehicle, and often parked on the outskirts to avoid scratches and dings.

"Mike!" I heard Jessica call out to him. By now I was too far away to hear their words, but I could see her running up to Mike out of the corner of my eye. I could also see that he kept his eyes fixed on me. I felt as if they were burning holes through my jacket. I was glad when I finally closed the door of my struck with a thud and headed for home.

I made oversized chicken Caesar salads for dinner. My Dad was a steak and potatoes kind of guy. A real carnivore. Nothing would dampen his spirits like a big plate of salad embellished with grilled chicken. This was part of my plan. I didn't want to do anything that might put him in a good mood before mentioned the "penguin plunge".

"Oh, salad" he said as I put his plate on the table. "We haven't had this in a while." Charlie poked his fork into the heaping pile of greens and shoveled them into his mouth. Not the reaction I was hoping for. I watched him chew the lettuce in short, abrupt movement. It was as if it was a foreign substance to his tongue. Maybe all wasn't lost.

"There's plenty more in the bowl Char..ah Dad. I know you like seconds."

" Great Bells. I should eat more vegetables. Dr. Brown says it's good for my cholesterol."

Damn cholesterol. All was lost; at least as far as my dinner selection went. My plan was going up in smoke and disappearing as quickly as Charlie's salad.

"So I'm going to go to Jessica's with Angela's after dinner. Angela is meeting me there".

"Sure kid. Can you be home by ten?" He didn't even hesitate. He didn't ask what we were doing. For all he knew we were secretly going to "Little Jimmy's" the only tattoo parlor in Forks. Jessica had her belly button pierced there, a year before her 18th birthday. Even I knew they were shady and I was new in town. Apparently Charlie was so delighted that I was doing something, anything… besides sit in my room, he didn't care.

I felt like a contestant on a game show that only had more chance before they went to commercial and found another player. I had to rethink my plan to attack. It had to bring up the bathing suit. That would get him hot under the collar. I didn't have a lot of skirts, but he often told me that the ones I had were too short. In Charlie's book anything that didn't go past my knee caps was too short. He'd certainly brew over the thought of a bathing suit.

"I didn't do much swimming in Arizona, so I don't have a bathing suit. Jessica said I could borrow one of hers." I waited in anticipation for him to choke on his lettuce, or for the vein in his head to turn purple. He swallowed his mouthful and then grinned.

"The penguin plunge eh?" his smile showed his teeth now, which were decorated with little pieces of lettuce. "I have a couple of over sized towels in the very bottom of the closet. You'll need one."

I was in the Twlight Zone. This made no sense. Any minute my Dad would blow a gasket. I waited. It never came.

"Yeah, so we're going to put on bathing suits and go swimming. In the middle of winter…" it was my final attempt.

"Let me know how many kids show up. It used to be bigger with almost the whole graduating class, but in the last five years only the die hards go through with it. Good for you."

Crap. Charlie knew all about the penguin plunge. "Me swimming in the freezing cold is okay with you?"

"Yeah. It's almost a right of passage around here. I also doubt you'll do much "swimming". I think most everyone just ones in and then runs right back out. That water will be COLD you know. Watch out for the under toe." He shook his finger at one, then went back to his salad. The finger shaking Charlie was the Dad I knew. But it only lasted for a second. "Oh and another thing…"

I knew it. He'd reconsidered. He would tell me that I'd get hypothermia and suggest that maybe we all see a movie!

"The year before last a bonfire got started and there was some drinking going on. Since the beach is part of the reservation we don't patrol too heavy, but I don't want you having any part of that."

That was all he said. Charlie didn't care. It was worse than I'd imagined. Charlie actually approved of me subjecting my bare skin to the winter air and leaping into the ocean! He finished dinner and happily went into the living room for some television. I left the dishes in the sink for later. I knew it would be rude to show up late at Jessica's. I needed to get going.

"Ten o'clock" he reminded me as I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door.

"Yeah. Ten. I got it. I doubt I'll even be out that late."

" Have fun Bells!"

This was ludicrous. I got an even bigger reality check once I closed the door behind me and inhaled a deep breath of cold air. The penguin plunge sounded like a stupid idea to me. It was cold outside! To my surprise my truck rumbled to life in an instant without the usual winter weather hesitation. Since it had only been a few hours since I drove home from school I decided that must be the reason. I slid it into drive and crept out of the driveway on the road and headed for Jessica's. I didn't pass another vehicle until I got to the end of her sub division. Jessica lived in a neighborhood of nearly identical two story homes, each with matching garages and paved driveways. I had to refer to the house numbers to be sure that I was at the right house. I pulled over in front of the house, just past the mailbox in an effort not to block the garage. I didn't intend to stay too long, but I thought that was the polite thing to do.

I had just taken my hand out of my pocket to ring the doorbell when the door swung open. It was Jessica.

"Hey Bella. We heard your truck about a mile ago. It's hard to miss that sound."

She was right. My exhaust was getting a little loud. It also handled a little differently these past few days, but I was without a mechanic. If it got too much worse I would tell Charlie.

"We? Is Angela here? I didn't see her car."

"Yeah, she's upstairs. Her Honda is in the shop so I picked her up" Maybe I should forget Jacob and use Angela's mechanic, I thought.

But I didn't want to forget Jacob. Just like I didn't want to forget Edward.

"Oh". "I could have given her a ride." I said in an effort to make conversation as I walked up the stairs behind Jessica.

Jessica laughed "As interesting as a ride in the USS Bella Swan would have been, it was no trouble." She has just compared my truck to a submarine or a battle ship. I grinned. It was pretty huge. Charlie must have thought all that metal would shielded me if my general clumsiness carried through to my driving.

"Hey Bella!" Angela greeted me from the top of the stairs. Neither one of them were wearing a bathing suit. Maybe this was a good sign. "I've chosen a suit and there is at least ten left for you to pick from."

Darn. I was wrong. "Great." I replied, forcing a smile. Ten bathing suits, plus one for Jessica and Angela? I'd heard of women with a lot of shoes, but this just seemed over the top.

All of the suits were carefully laid out on the bed. I noticed immediately how "girlie" they were and groaned.

"Come on Bella" Angela encouraged, "It's not that bad." She held up a purple and white striped pair of bathing suit bottoms. "This is what I'm wearing" she continued. "The top is a halter style."

"Wow. Nice." I was in the seventh circle of hell. I smiled, but Angela knew I was overwhelmed. She immediately reached back for the bottoms.

"See their all ruffled, you know, in rows." I thought it might call some attention to my ..er…backside, since I'm not as curvaceous as Jessica." Jessica beamed, Clearly she was pleased with Angela's compliment.

"What are you wearing Jessica?" I asked, not sure if I even wanted to know. I hadn't given it a formal look, but at first glance I just saw bikinis on her bed.

"Old red." She replied. I felt relieved. I pictured her in a faithful and practical red one piece. Something sporty and safe. Jessica pointed to a chair in the corner where a pile of red fabric sat. "Well it's not old…but it is red. Very red! Oh, and did I mention it's almost a thong?" she said innocently.

My faced turned as crimson as old red. Almost a thong! What does that mean? A visual of Jessica's barely covered backside popped into my head. I was terrified. Angela laughed. Squealed actually.

"Yeah, Jessica is going to give Mike Newton a heart attack! I can't wait!"

So that was the plan. Jessica didn't care about our stupid senior ritual. She just wanted an excuse to parade around in front of Newton in her skivvies, and Angela was all for it. Angela, whose skin had a natural olive tone expertly dressed in her flirty ruffled suit. Jessica with a bright red number, a soft glow left from her tanning bed days this fall on her skin, leaving very little to the imagination. That left me. Bella. Just Bella. Fish belly white skin, goose bumps from the cold, and my lips turning blue. It didn't exactly paint a pretty picture.

"Are you gonna look at the suits?" Angela asked.

"Or do we have to pick one for you?" Jessica retorted impatiently. "You're kinda taking the fun out of it Bella! Cheer up! We're seniors, finally!"

I moved my line of vision over to Jessica's bed. It was as I had feared. They were all two piece bathing suits. "Do you have anything more sporty Jessica, or a one piece?" I inquired. It never hurts to ask.

"Bella, they are called bikinis, and no I don't have anything else. You're just being self conscious. Here, try this one on…Angela thought you might like it." I immediately transfered my glare to Angela who nodded in conformation. I didn't think Jessica would purposely put me in a crappy bathing suit, like the ones that fall down when you get them wet, but I wasn't certain.

"It's looks kinda skimpy" I said reluctantly. " I might just do shorts and a t-shirt."

Jessica and Angela both gasped in horror, as if I had just stepped on a kitten.

"Bella, don't ruin this. It's supposed to be fun. Something we'll look back on in ten years and laugh. I don't want to remember you in ratty shorts and a bad t-shirt." Angela was being genuine. Jessica may have just wanted to use the penguin plunge to get Mike's attention, but it was clear this meant a lot to Angela. She was sentimental..nostalgic. I was being a party pooper.

"Jessica called it a midnight blue color" she continued "and I know you really like that color. It's one shade deeper than navy blue. It ties around your neck and then across your back so we can make it as tight as you like it. I'll even double knot it for you."

"It looks like there is two tops and no bottom?" I questioned,

"The bottoms are here" Jessica said picking up the piece left on the bed. They tie closed too. Around each of your legs. It's kind of a low rise style but you can tie the bottoms pretty tight."

I wasn't convinced. Far from it. I may not be a fashionista, but I knew what this was. A bloody string bikini. Maybe Jessica could sun herself in a skimpy suit, but I wanted no part of it. It was winter after all! I looked at Angela, whose eyes pleaded with me to try it on. I knew I'd have to compromise. I thought for just a moment before I spoke.

"It's nice, but I don't know. Do you have any that would fit me and that doesn't tie closed?" I felt much safer knowing that my suit couldn't accidentally come untied. I tended to be accident proned and I could see how this would end.

"Most of my suits tie…you know because of the tan line issue. The one Angela likes doesn't because I loved the ruffles. That's why I bought it."

Jessica giggled and scanned the selection of suits on her bed.

"Oh I know!" she bounded across the room and swung open the closet door. She pulled out a plastic tub and ripped off the lid.

"Here it is!" she announced as if she had just laid a golden egg. Jessica held out a fist full of black bathing suit for my review.

"The top ties, but the bottom doesn't. I only wore this once for like ten minutes. Black is a bad color for sun tanning so I packed it away. If it fits you can keep it. It's not very flattering anyway."

Jessica was trying to helpful, she really was. I guess it would be like her trying to find a party dress in my closet. I knew I needed to be grateful, it wasn't her fault we were so different.

"Thanks Jessica."

I walked slowly to her bathroom and closed the door most of the way. The suit smelled brand new and sure enough the tag was still attached to the bottoms, tucked neatly behind the label. Jessica had been telling the truth. I slid off my jeans and my underwear, then pulled the bottoms up my legs. To my surprise, they fit pretty well. I tied the base of the bikini top around my chest, knotting it in the front. Then turned it around so that the triangle cups were in the front and the knot was in the back. Tying the strings around my neck was easier than I thought. I turned to look in the mirror. It felt well, but it was still a BIKINI! I turned to the other direction to get a look at the back. The bottoms covered my backside pretty well leaving just the rounded curves of my derriere exposed. It was tighter than I'd hoped. My curves strained against the fabric, which stretched to cover them. On the bright side, I know the bottoms wouldn't fall down.

"It fits, I think" I hollered, forgetting the door was partially open.

Angela eagerly opened the door completely.

"Oh!" she exclaimed in approval. "Very hot!"

Jessica joined her "Yup, it fits. It's the Cinderella bikini."

We all laughed. Jessica could be sweet when she wanted to be. The girls returned to the main part of the bedroom and I quickly shimmied out the suit and put my regular clothes back on. I could hear them chatting like chipmunks in the other room.

"Bella, do you want some self tanner?" Angela asked.

I felt silly. I had no idea what she meant.

"Self Tanner?"

"Yeah, it's like body lotion, but it turns your skin tan without the sun."

"I put some on already today, twice…" Jessica began "I'll use it again now, once in the night and then first thing in the morning. By the time Eric gets us at 1 o'clock I'll have a lovely golden glow."

She sounded like a television commercial. In my book applying something to your skin that changes its color and doesn't wash off is a bad idea.

"No thanks."

"Suit yourself."

I thanked Jessica again for the bathing suit and offered Angela a ride home. She had decided to do one application of self tanner and elected to stay at Jessica's a bit longer. As I walked down the stairs I could hear them chattering and laughing with delight. I was glad Angela was excited, Jessica too. But that didn't change the fact that I dreaded tomorrow. The whole thing was silly.